Keelhaul
/ˈkiːlhɔːl/verb
To punish severely, typically by dragging someone under the ship from one side to the other.
The pirate captain decided to keelhaul the traitor.
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Historical
verb
To rebuke or criticize someone harshly.
The boss decided to keelhaul the employee for his poor performance.
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To punish severely, typically by dragging someone under the ship from one side to the other.
The pirate captain decided to keelhaul the traitor.
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Historical
verb
To rebuke or criticize someone harshly.
The boss decided to keelhaul the employee for his poor performance.
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Brutality
Originally a brutal punishment at sea, imparting danger and harshness.
Tales of pirates often mention the cruel method of keelhauling.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Interpretation
Literally dragging under a ship's keel; involves the concept of maritime.
In the navy, you'd fear being keelhauled for serious offenses.
Pro Tip 3/3Extreme Consequence
Indicates a punishment beyond the norm, very severe and rare.
To deter mutiny, the captain threatened to keelhaul the first to disobey.
Compare with
drownflogimmerseplungepunishsinksubmergewhip
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